Cells respond to chemical, mechanical and topographical cues both in vivo and in vitro. Much research has been carried out into the effects of chemical signals and to a lesser degree, mechanical. However, less is known about cell responses to topographical cues, particularly to topographies with nanoscale dimensions. Understanding how cells respond to topography is of particular interest to the field of tissue engineering, where it is crucial to characterise the effects that biomaterial surfaces have on the cells that they come into contact with. Observations of the impact that topographic signalling has on cells, within two tissue engineering systems, are discussed in this thesis. These systems are: polymer conduits for peripheral nerve regeneration and thin films for the replacement of the retinal pigment epithelium. Understanding the effects that micro and nano scaled topographies have on nerve and retinal cell regeneration is important for successful development and implementation of appropriate tissue engineered devices. In order to fabricate topographical patterns on biomaterial surfaces, a number of fabrication techniques were investigated. The fundamental requirement of these techniques was for reliable production of uniform nano and micro scale topographical patterns over large lateral areas (millimeter scale). Initially, the suitability of electrohydrodynamic lithography (EHDL) was assessed. EHDL is a relatively new technique, first published in 2000, which employs electrostatic forces to pattern thin polymer films. Subsequently, techniques traditionally associated with the computing industry, such as e-beam lithography and reactive ion etching, were evaluated. Following successful pattern fabrication, NG108-15 and ARPE-19 cells were cultured on grooved topographies. Against a baseline parameter of elapsed time, the cell morphologies and their propensity for alignment with the grooves was rigorously assessed and compared. ARPE-19 and NG108-15 cell responses differed from one another, and were sensitive to varying groove dimensions. Ultimately, the developing morphologies (for both cell types) proved to be clearly dependent on groove dimensions and elapsed time.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:553539 |
| Date | January 2012 |
| Creators | Turner, Lesley-Anne |
| Contributors | Downes, Sandra; Kinloch, Ian |
| Publisher | University of Manchester |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/the-development-of-large-area-patterning-techniques-for-the-characterisation-of-nerve-and-retinal-cell-responses-to-nano-and-micro-scale-topographies(ef4f67a5-8581-49a9-a1ae-d6cb25e65756).html |
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